Dear Friends,

For many of us, words like “unplugging,” and “disconnecting,” bring up images of turning off our

phones and computers, hiking a beautiful mountain path or taking a relaxing yoga class.

But, also sadly for many of us, being isolated from others is a way of life. In our modern lives,

connecting face-to-face and forming true bonds of friendship with others has become more difficult.

Loved ones may pass away, families may live miles away and neighbors are not so “neighborly” any

more.

At CVCJ, we believe that making impactful connections is our core value. Ending the crippling effects

of loneliness not only benefit those we serve, but also benefits those who provide our services.

I hope you enjoy the truly inspiring stories of connection we share in the following pages. Together,

we are breaking down barriers and lifting people’s spirits in profound ways. I hope you’ll join us on

this journey of “connection.”

Warmest regards,

Lynette

Over 1 million older people say they are always or often feel lonely.

1 Million

People with a high degree of loneliness are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as people with a low degree of loneliness.

Loneliness can be as harmful for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Nearly half (49%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone.

9% of older people feel trapped in their own home.

By: Fran Pannella, ARCP Director

Alzheimer’s Respite Care Program Connection (ARCP)

Both were in their early 60s with grandchildren, leading busy active lives and looking forward to retirement when Toni developed young onset Alzheimer’s. This is an aggressive form of Dementia. When we first met John, he was not only caring for his wife, but he also watched his grandchildren a few days a week as well as his elder mother. We began providing respite visits with then new volunteer Grace. An angel brought Grace to us as she had just retired from a career in NYC as a Mental Health Nurse and brought with her years of experience and the calmest kindest aura imaginable…Just what Toni needed to feel a connection with a caring soul and John relied on for support.

During their introductory visit, Grace used an experienced, therapeutic touch on her hand and soft music as a bridge to start her visit with Toni….who at the time was almost impossible to connect with. Over the last 18 months, Toni’s illness has progressed and she is now unable to walk unassisted. John is continuing to find a way to meet all of Toni’s needs without outside help and also finding time to get out of the house …with ARCP’s help and support, he is able to play softball or go bowling and take time for himself. His goal of having Toni live the rest of her life in the comfort of her own home around her loving family is something we are committed to help him achieve.

FYI:

According to a study conducted at DePauw University, for the individual with dementia, touch may be the only way of communication when that individual becomes nonverbal. When a gentle caring touch is offered to someone with dementia, it can ease anxieties and help increase their feelings of general well-being.

ARCP Volunteer, Grace with Toni & John

By: Carol Gibbons, Multi-Cultural Outreach Coordinator

Multi-Cultural Outreach Connection Hilda is a vibrant 97-year old woman who loves listening to music on YouTube, looking through photos of her loved ones and is comfortable living in her own home. Hilda’s caretaker, Olga, is her hard-working, loving daughter. You can see in Olga’s eyes the love she has for her mother and the determination she has to keep her mom at home. Olga has her own challenges - caring for her mother during the day before she goes to work, from 2 pm until midnight. She told us that she will do whatever it takes to keep her mom home and that having a respite visit for just one hour will make all the difference in the world. That one hour will give her a chance to have some down time before heading off to a long afternoon and night at her job. As Multi-Cultural Outreach Coordinator it is important to find the right match for our non-English speaking receivers. Rosa, a Spanish speaker, just recently signed up to volunteer with CVCJ and was the perfect match for Hilda & Olga.

The visit went well and I was touched to see such an instant connection between Rosa & Hilda. Rosa is looking forward to listening to music and sharing family stories and photos with Hilda on their next visit. Meeting Hilda and Olga, and experiencing first-hand their love and passion really brought into focus the difference Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey makes in people’s lives.

FYI:

According to the article, Cultural Intelligence & Individuals there are several factors

that impact a person’s longevity. Having a good social network, a purpose in life, a strong faith, laughter and a good attitude towards aging all contribute to a longer

life.

R-L: Rosa, CVCJ Volunteer meets Hilda (sitting) and her daughter and caregiver, Olga.

By: Danielle Maley, Caregiver Canines® Manager

Caregiver Canines® Our in Home Therapy Dog Program This is a story about John and Lucy and their unique and special connection. John is a widower and he deeply misses his wife. He lives alone. He is a happy man and at 92 years old has lived a very full life surrounded by family and friends. But there is one thing John is missing in his life. Every time John walks by his coffee table he sees pictures of his dogs and he remembers what life was like when they were around. John was a devoted dog owner and he took his dogs everywhere. He loved to play with his dogs and has fond memories of them making him laugh in a way that only dogs can. John was missing that unconditional love and companionship that dogs naturally provide. One day there came a knock at the door and Lucy entered John’s life. Lucy and her owner, Trish are part of our Caregiver Canines® program. Since that first visit Lucy and John have had a very special relationship. Lucy loves to bring her toys on visits and John loves to snuggle her and give her kisses. John always has a twinkle in his eye when he knows Lucy is coming to visit. She is the highlight of his week and she loves John just as much. Trish’s connection with John is also special because of the love they share for Lucy. They find it easy to talk about anything and everything when Lucy is laying on the couch between them.

FYI:

In a study conducted by Kean University with CVCJ, it was shown that a visit with our caregiver canine therapy dog can lower your blood pressure and heart rate. These visits also help to ease feelings of isolation and loneliness while building feelings of connection and joy.

John and Lucy have been friends for over a year now.

We offer our sincere condolences and

gratitude to the families of:

Barbara Burnick

Catherine M. Lindner William S. Nakonechny

Miriam Sodergren

for designating Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey to receive donations in lieu of flowers.

To request a copy of the Creating Your Legacy brochure and to learn more about making a gift in your Will or living trust that will impact lives for years to come, please

contact Lynette Whiteman at 732.505.2273 or lynettew@caregivervolunteers.org.

Please allow me to introduce you to Margery. Margery is 85 years old and lives in Manchester. Since making the difficult decision to stop driving in 2014, she relies on CVCJ to get her to her doctor appointments and shop for her groceries. Here is what I also want you to know about Margery. Margery made a gift to CVCJ in her legacy plans.

And this is why. “CVCJ is always there for me. When I come out of my doctor’s visit, and I see that someone is actually sitting in the waiting room just for me to take me home, you have no idea what security that provides. I don’t have to wait for a bus, or worry that it may not come or be really late. “

It makes Margery feel good knowing that by making this legacy gift, she is playing a role in providing that same sense of security to someone just like her in the future. Our sincerest thanks to Margery for joining our “Legacy of Care” Society. Will you join her in making sure that all of us can have someone waiting” just for us” in our time of need?

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (CVCJ) continues to be blessed by donations from our clients and their families and by the financial support of our friends in the community. We are grateful for their generosity, which enables Caregivers to fulfill our mission. This list includes in memoriam & honorarium donations through the month of July. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of this list. Kindly forward any additions or corrections to the CVCJ office to be listed in the next newsletter.

Margaret Abazia Thomas J. Accomando Columbus G. Aragon Lois Austin Mauro Balacco Joseph Baptista Debra L. Bauer Harold Briggs Lillian M. Bryant John Bucknell Barbara Burnick Robert Craig Jack Dazzo Antonio DeFeo Dorothy Ducceschi Betty Franco Milton Gitlin Jane Gleason Thomas Halpin Bob Healy Chris Heaphy Donald Hicks Maria Inniss Edward Kaczor Joe Lameiras Domenico Latino Harry Leary Catherine M. Lindner Mary M. Macartney Mario A. Marano Alvin Markowitz Daniel Maul Alfonsina Mejai Angela Musso William S. Nakonechny Cpl. Nicholas Ott Vito Ottomano Fred Pacicca Roslyn Pedinoff Semour Pedinoff Luca W. Pelter Joseph Persichetti Cris Pinheiro

Dennis Puglisi George Puglisi Nancy Reynolds Joseph Romano Mercedes Rummel Giulio Scardigno Donald Schroeder Matthew Scutaro Roger Sharkey Jeanne Silvestri Miriam Sodergren Don Tarantino Joe Wong Thomas Wulff John Yochum

Diane Austin Susan Autenrieth Theresa Badala Mary Baita Judy Bevan Claire Cagney CVCJ Volunteers Toni Dowling Barbara Francis Anna Franke

Jean & Jose Garcia’s 50th Anniversary Pat Gibbons Theresa Gratale Cantors Daniel & Ruth Green Ed Gregory Rev. John Hamersma Penny Eleanor Keller Camille Lepore Meryl Markowitz & Bitsy Pat Mills Lisa Elizabeth North Julia Petruzzi Dori Prejs Phyllis Pschorr Amy Ravallo Michael Ravallo Jean Robertson Gerry Scheinman Melanie Sherer Roslalind Silletto Elizabeth Szucs & Re-Po The Pacicca Family Van, Caregiver Canine Mary Jean Vigliarolo Sharon Watkins Ruth Weir

Sheli Monacchio (right) gets a birthday wish from

CVCJ staff member, Laura!

Thank you to the following for hosting a Facebook Birthday Fundraiser

to benefit CVCJ.

We are so grateful for your support!

Curry Bradley Matt Kittner Rod Knecht

Joan Mackiewicz Sheli Monacchio

To learn how you could host a Facebook Birthday Fundraiser contact Howard at

(732) 505-2273, ext. 203 or email howardh@caregivervolunteers.org

Happy Birthday

Thank you to our generous supporters for their assistance in keeping Monmouth & Ocean County Seniors in their homes.

Advanced Memory Research Institute of NJ Amboy Foundation

Arbor Terrace at Middletown & Shrewsbury Artisans & Crafters of Renaissance

Bayada Home Health Care BlueClaws Charities

Brick Morning Rotary Brick Rotary Charitable Foundation

Causeway Family of Dealerships Charles B. Mathis Memorial Trust

Chelsea Senior Living Crestwood Village II Residents

D’Onofrio Foundation Enclave Outreach Group

Encompass Health Rehab. Hospital of Tinton Falls Exxon Mobil Foundation

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund GFWC Women’s Club of Brick

Greenbriar Woodlands Outreach Harrogate

Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation Holiday City Berkeley Welfare & Recreation Fund

Holistic Care Hospice Holy Redeemer Health System

Homecare Assistance Impact100 Jersey Coast

Imperial Healthcare Investors Bank Charitable Foundation

Jackson Chamber of Commerce Jewish War Veterans Post 125

Kiwanis Club of Jackson Kiwanis Club of Toms River Daybreak

Knights of Columbus of Jackson Manasquan Bank

Men’s Club at Lake Ridge MOCAAPI

Monmouth Ocean Regional Realtors Monmouth Park Charity Fund

NJ Alpha Delta Kappa New Jersey Natural Gas

New Jersey State Council Knights of Columbus Ocean County Office of Senior Services

Ocean Ride Ornstein Family Foundation

Perlmart, Inc. Pinebelt Chevrolet

Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services Provident Bank Foundation

Saheli 4 Toms River Saker Shoprite

Suez Water Toms River The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation

The Pines at Whiting Rotary Club of Toms River Charitable Foundation

Toms River Chamber of Commerce United Methodist Communities-Homeworks

William Reulbach Wintrode Family Foundation Women’s Club at River Pointe

Women’s Club Organization of Silverton

Bayada Home Health Care Brandywine Senior Living at The Gables & Reflections

Central Printing Cherished Memory Photography

Church of St. Martha, Pt. Pleasant Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine

Community Medical Center Complete Care at Bey Lea Congregation B’nai Israel

Gary Gellman Harrogate

Holy Cross Lutheran Church Jackson Knights of Columbus ~ Council 6201 Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus

Nylabone Ocean, Inc.

Pinebelt Subaru Priority Vet

Pt. Pleasant Veterinary Hospital Silverwoods

Spring Oak at Toms River The Pines at Whiting

Tom Hayes & NJNG Employees Visitation Catholic Church, Brick

Visiting HomeCare Services of OC~A Friend’s House Whitebridge Pet Brands

Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLC

Atlantic Physical Therapy Center Crossroads Realty

Garland Law Offices Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services

Vision Financial Services-Anne Kraljic Winston Benefits

Left: Rita Kumar presents CVCJ Staff with a donation from the 5K Color Run organized by Saheli 4 Toms River on May 26, 2019.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (CVCJ) is dedicated to providing vital assistance to the

elderly, disabled, veterans and those who care for them. Our goal is to enable individuals to

remain independent and to allow them to live with dignity and joy.

To live in a world where elders & caregivers are cared for and honored.

Anne Kraljic, President

Dr. Edward Harper, Vice President Dave Manzo, Treasurer

Leo DiGioia, Asst. Treasurer Kelly Fliller, Secretary

Patricia Scimeca, Member at Large Rev. Scott Shaffer, Member at Large

Curry Bradley Anthony Canderozzi Lisa Carta Jean Flaherty Lisa Gallicchio Kathy Kimm Michele Lardieri Shawn Michaels Dr. B. Okpokwasili Tina Orth Donna Palmer Rabbi Robert Pilavin Annemarie Schreiber Msgr. Sam Sirianni Gene Young

Executive Director ~ Lynette Whiteman, MS Director of Development ~ Howard Hirsch

Hope Presbyterian Church - Tinton Falls

Manasquan United Methodist

Our Lady of Hope Parish - West Long Branch

St. Catherine of Siena - Farmingdale

New Volunteer Trainings

Ocean: October 8, 2019 10:00am

Monmouth: October 16, 2019 11:00am

Ocean: October 18, 2019 2:00pm

Ocean: October 23, 2019 10:00am

Ocean: November 6, 2019 10:00am

Monmouth: November 13, 2019 11:00am

Ocean: November 15, 2019 2:00pm

Ocean: November 26, 2019 10:00am

Monmouth: December 4, 2019 11:00am

Ocean: December 6, 2019 2:00pm

Ocean: December 11, 2019 10:00am

Ocean : December 17, 2019 10:00am

If you or someone you know would like to attend one of our trainings please contact us at

(732) 505-2273 or email info@caregivervolunteers.org

All trainings will be held at either our:

Ocean County Office: Riverwood Plaza 2, 67 Route 37w, Ste. 201 Toms River, NJ 08755

Monmouth County Office: 61 Georgia Rd., Room 116 Freehold, NJ 07728

Online Shopping Volunteer Trainings

If you are interested in volunteering for this program, all you need is computer experience. It can be done from your home on your own time at your convenience.

Our next trainings are:

September 20, 2019 10:00am October 25, 2019 10:00am November 8, 2019 10:00am

If you are interested contact Laura at 732-505-2273, ext. 200 or

info@caregivervolunteers.org.

All trainings will be held at our Ocean County Office: Riverwood Plaza 2

67 Route 37w, Ste. 201 Toms River, NJ 08755

Home Health Care with Feeling!

1-800-603-CARE (2273)

PreferredCares.com

Licensed. Bonded. Insured.

For information about Caregiver Volunteers please visit us at www.caregivervolunteers.org

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/caregivervolunteers

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey

“A Faith In Action Program” 67 Route 37W, Riverwood Plaza 2

Toms River NJ 08757

Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 61

Toms River, NJ 08753 Return Service Requested

Please Join Us!

Come out and show your support for

CVCJ’s Veteran Volunteers as they

march for the first time in the Annual

Toms River Veteran’s Day Parade in

Downtown Toms River.

If you would like to march with us or

for more information contact Ann at

(732) 505-2273, ext. 210 or email

info@caregivervolunteers.org.